The number of bike messengers on the streets of Seattle has dwindled since the heady days of the late 1990s, when kozmo.com ruled the roadways, but our city’s denizens love for the messenger bag has not waned one bit since then. They’re just so useful on so many levels.

On May 4, San Francisco messanger bag maker Timbuk2 will be opening a store at Seventh and Pine Streets (1532 Seventh Ave.), in the heart of downtown, where customers can choose from their product line of over 100 styles or design their own bag at the interactive custom station to be made at Timbuk2’s factory in San Fran.

On opening day, May 4, from 12 to 8 p.m. shoppers will find music, refreshments, a photo booth and giveaways. And on May 17, Bike to Work Day, the Timbuk2 crew will be out in force with Energizing Stations featuring Kind bars, both at the store and in-action on the Burke Gilman Trail.

The company plans to launch a bike share program later this summer.